Starting and ignition system



Dec. 29, 1936. ;L ARTHUR 2,065,882

STARTING AND IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 5, 193s /oo A no "O 1/4 8 /02 vsz a2 ENG/NE- INTAKE* NVENTOR 50 h/A/Mfs L ARTHUR Patented Dec. 29, 1936UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEA STARTING AND IGNITION SYSTEM awareApplication August 5, 1933, serial No. 683,761

10 Claims.

This invention relates to starting and ignitioncranking conditions, thespark altering meansl being immediately rendered nonoperative upondeenergization of the -starting motor circuit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a step like shift of thespark timing relation of engine ignition apparatus during enginecranking and running conditions. This has been accomplished by providingmeans for actuating the 20 spark timing shift, and controlling thesemeans by additional means that are operable to control the shiftingmeans only upon the operation of certain functions or circuitconditions.

Further objects and advantages of the present 25 invention will beapparent from the following description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of thepresent invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 illustrates an ignition and starting motor circuit embracing theinstant improvements.

Fig. 2 illustrates a modified form of the instant u control mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detail view illustrating a change in position of certainparts of the structure, illustrated in Fig. 1.

For economy and safety sake, it is desirable during the crankingoperation of an automobile that the occurrence of spark timing besomewhat retarded from the point of occurrence for best y engine runningeconomy. A spark retard occurrence satisfactory for engine cranking con-5 ditions is wholly inefficient even during engine idling conditions.The changes in spark timing relation are usually made manually whilecranking the engine, or else the initial spark timing of the engine isset so low as to be inefficient for 50 idling and low engine speeds.Even with provisions of this kind it sometimes occurs that the attendantof the automobile will fail to make the retarded shift during enginecranking, with the result that accidents of one kind or another occurupon attempting to crank the engine.

(Cl. ZBO-38) It being desirable to eliminate the possibility ofaccidents and to accomplish the objects desired, applicant has made itpossible to make the change in spark timing relation automatic, andsubstantially coincident with each and every at- 5 tempt and at the timeof engine starting or cranking. It has been found desirable to make thisautomatic and instantaneous change in spark timing relation dependentupon closing of the starting motor circuit so that when the startingmotor circuit is closed there will be an actual step like shift orretard of the spark timing relation, and so that upon deenergization ofthe starting motor circuit there will be a disqualification of the timershift apparatus, whereby the spark timing Yrelation that is mostefficient for the existing engine running conditions will beautomatically reestablished.

Referring to the drawing, I0 indicates a battery or source of energygrounded at I2 and 20 whose battery lead I4 provides a branch I6 leadingto a starting motor switch contact I8.

A second branch is in communication with an ignition switch 22, fromwhence connection is made to the primary 24 of an ignition coil 26. 25The primary is connected with a circuit interrupter 28 through theagency of a convenient conductor 29 and a leaf spring 30. A secondarywinding 32 of the ignition coil, communicates with a distributor as isusual and well known in the art. From one of the starting motor switchcontacts I8 connection is made to the eld winding 33 of the startingmotor 34 having a ground connection at 36.

The interrupter 28 usually comprises a circuit 35 breaker lever 48insulatingly pivoted at 42 to a breaker plate 44 disposed for limitedangular movement about an engine driven cam 46. This cam cooperates witha rubbing block 48 carried by the lever to oscillate thesame about the40 pivot 42 against the pressure of spring 30, for periodic opening andclosing of a pair of fixed contacts 50 and 52, the latter being groundedto the breaker plate at 54. Means are provided in the well known mannerfor oscillating the plate 45 44 about the engine driven cam 46, whichoscillation will change the angular relation of the cam and circuitinterrupter such that the spark occurrence that is producedupon theopening of the contacts and 52 will be caused to approach 59 or retreatfrom a position of top dead center as respects the piston in the enginecylinder. The means for producing this angular rotation or oscillationof the breaker plate 44 is usually accomplished by speed responsivemechanism that lis old and well known in the art, and not necessary ofdisclosure in this application.

'I'he instant invention, in one of its forms, presupposes an additionalmeans for oscillating the breaker plate 44 and thereby alters theangular relation between the circuit interrupter and engine driven cam,whereby the additional and predetermined shift can be accomplished forengine starting conditions. This form of the invention is illustrated indetail in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing.

The circuit breaker plate 44 is provided with an arm 56 having anarticulated connection with a rod 58 drivingly secured to a movableelement 60 of a suction responsive device 62. The suction responsivedevice comprises a pair of shell members 64 and 66 secured together rimto rim as at 68, and thereby clamps the edge of the movable element, inthe present instance a flexible diaphragm, to form an expansion chamber10. The expansion chamber l has a fluid connection with the engineintake pipe connection 'I4 within which is interposed a valvingmechanism 16. Also disposed within the expansion chamber l0 there is aspring 18, engaging the movable element 60 of the chamber, whose forceacts upon the rod 58 to oscillate the breaker plate to a retardedposition.

The valving device 16 comprises a chambered member 80 having a pair ofoffset ports 82 and 84 with which the pipe connections are made to theexpansion chamber and to engine intake respectively.

An atmospheric or flushing port 86 is also provided that opens throughthe member 80, to the interior bore 88 thereof, for a purpose presentlyto be described. Within the bore 88 there is a reciprocable butt springurged spool like, valve member 90, that is connected by a stern portion92 with an armature 94 of a solenoid 96, whose armature also carries amovable contact 98 for bridging the starting motor contacts |8.

A controlling switch |00 is included in an auxiliary circuit to asolenoid winding |02 and is grounded at |04. This solenoid providesmeans for actuating the starting motor switch, and in coincidencetherewith it provides for movement of the valve 80. The valve 90provides a pair of valving parts |06 and |08, and a spring ||0 disposedagainst the valve part |08 and surrounding the stem 92 connecting itwith the armature 94 presses against a gland nut ||2 and normally urgesthe Valve 90 along the bore 88 to engage a stop ||4. This is theposition that is illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing and constitutesthe position of the valve for conditions of engine rest, and forconditions of engine running. It is the position in which fluidcommunication is had between the intake pipe '|2 and the expansionchamber 10. Under these conditions of valve bias, the ports 82 and 84 ofthe iiuid passage between the expansion chamber '|0 and the engineintake 'I2 will be in direct communication, and the atmospheric port 86opening into the passage 88 will be closed, under which conditionsengine suction within the passage `|2 will be communicated to theexpansion chamber 'l0 where it draws the movable element 60 down againstthe spring '18, thereby operating the rod 58 and the arm 56 to producean advance in the spark timing relation. This advanced movement willamount to an initial setting of the spark timing relation, or willestablish a predetermined Iangular relation between the circuitinterrupter 28 and the engine driven cam 46.

the port 86.

Upon desire to start the engine the switch |00 in the solenoid circuitis closed, whereupon the solenoid Winding |02 is energized from thebattery |0, and operates to move the core 94 with its attached bridgingcontact 98 and valve 90 toward the left hand side of Fig. 1,substantially as indicated by the arrow A above the valving device. Thisoperation of the solenoid closes the starting motor circuit through thecontacts |8 and the bridging contact 8B, and also moves the valve 90 tothat position illustrated in Fig. 3. Under these conditions the port 84is closed by the head member |06, whereupon the suction chamber l0 iscut oil from communication with the engine intake passage l2. During thesame movement of the rod 80 the atmospheric port 86 has been opened sothat the expansion chamber l0 is then in communication with theatmosphere through the port B2, the passage 88 and This allows thechamber to expand under the iniiuence of the spring 18, that causes adefinite amount of retard in the spark timing relation which isimmediately effective upon closing of the starting motor switch.Directly that the starting motor circuit is opened, the spring I0 willreturn the valve 90 to the position illustrated in Fig. 1, whereupon thesuction pressure in the engine intake will be communicated to thesuction chamber l0 and the spark timing relation will be returned towhat has been determined as the initial setting.

According to the disclosure illustrated in Fig. 2, the same results areaccomplished through slightly different means. The same electromagneticstarting motor switch and controller switch are used as in the foregoingdisclosure, but the rod 92 attached to the armature 84 insulatinglysupports a second bridging contact that cooperates with a pair ofcontacts |22. One of these contacts communicates by a lead |24 with theleaf spring of the circuit interrupter hereinbefore referred to. Theother of the contacts |22 communicates by a lead |26 with a second leafspring conductor |28. This leaf spring is operable to oscillate anauxiliary circuit breaker |30 about an insulated support |32, so thatits rubbing block |34 will be forced into engagement with the enginedriven cam 46 hereinbefore referred to. The auxiliary circuit breaker isadapted to open and close a circuit through a pair of contacts |36 and|38, the latter of which is grounded at |40, all in a similar manner tothose contacts 50 and 52 of the circuit interrupter first described.Since the auxiliary circuit breaker is mounted on the same breaker plate44a this places the two circuit interrupters in parallel circuits, bothof which branch off from the conductor 29. In mounting the auxiliarycircuit interrupter upon the plate 44a it is shifted somewhat to oneside of the diametric position with respect to the usual circuitinterrupter, such that its action will be somewhat delayed as respectsthe action of the usual circuit interrupter. The angular displacementcorresponds to the magnitude of spark timing shift that is desired forthe particular engine.

During engine running conditions, the circuit interrupter 28 willcontrol the ignition timing of the engine, since it alone isfunctionally operative. This is due to the fact that the circuit throughthe auxiliary circuit interrupter is incomplete by the open or unbridgedcondition of the contacts |22. However, as soon as the contacts |22 arebridged by the member |20, then the auxiliary circuit interrupter isfunctionally operative, and is included in vthe ignition circuit. Itseiect will be superimposed upon that of the circuit interrupter 28.

In other words, closing of the contacts |22 will operate to rendercircuit interrupter 28 nonoperative, for, though the engine driven cam46 may operate the yinterrupter 28 to open the contacts 50 and 52, theprimary circuit will not be interrupted but will thence be directed fromthe conductor |00 over the conductor |24, the contacts |22, the bridge|28, and thence through the conductor |26 to the leaf spring |28 and thecontacts |36 and |38 to ground at |48. That will allow the primarycurrent to continue flowing until the auxiliary circuit interrupter |30is actuated to open the contacts |36and |38.

It will be recalled that the spark manifestation does not occur untilthe primary circuit is entirely open, and therefore when the contacts|22 are closed there is an overlapping dwell of the two pairs ofcontacts, as well as a continued closing of the contacts |36 and |38 fora short time after the opening of the contacts 50 and 52. Consequently,upon closing of the contacts |22, a positive shift in the angularrelation between the engine driven cam and the eiective circuitinterrupter will be accomplished, and this shift will be made wheneverthe controllerswitch |00 is closed so as to actuate the armature 94. Toinsure quick return of the armature 94 so as to break the circuit at thecontacts I8 and at the contacts |22 a spring |42 surrounding the rod 92is disposed between the bridging contact |20 anda stop member |44. Assoon as the controller circuit through the solenoid is opened, thespring |42 overcomes the effect of the solenoid Winding andcoincidentally opens the circuits through the contacts |8 and |22.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a starting device for-internal combustion engines having anignition timer and automatic means operable by the engine for operatingsaid timer to change the time relation of the spark occurrence duringthe normal operation of the engine, the combination comprising a currentsource,l a starting motor, a normally open circuit between said startingmotor and the current source, electromagnetic means for closing saidcircuit to cause the starting motor to become operative to start theengine, and means operated by said electromagnetic means for socontrolling the operation of said timer operating means as to cause thespark to be retarded during engine starting.

2. In a starting device for internal combustion engines having anignition timer and means operable by engine suction for operating saidtimer to change the time relation of the spark occurrence during thenormal operation of the engine, the combination comprising a currentsource, a starting motor, a normally open circuit between said startingmotor and the current source, electromagnetic means for closing saidcircuit to cause the starting motor to become operative to start theengine, and means operated by said electromagnetic means for socontrolling the operation of said suction operated means as to cause thespark to be retarded during the starting of the engine.

3. In a starting device for internal combus-` tion engines having anignition timer vand automatic means operable by the engine for operatingsaid timer to change the time relation of the spark occurrence duringthe normal operation of the engine, the combination comprising a currentsource, a starting motor, a normally open circuit between said startingmotor and the current source, electromagnetic means for closing saidcircuit to cause the starting motor to become operative to start theengine, and means acting upon the timer operating -means and responsiveto the control of the electromagnetic means to cause said timeroperatingmeans to retard the spark a predetermined amount during thestarting of the engine.

4. In a starting system for automotive engines having a timercharacterized by means for altering the'time relation of the sparkoccurrence, the combination comprising, a starting motor with a normallyopened circuit therethrough, electromagnetic means for closing thecircuit to start the engine, means operated by the electromagnetic meansfor actuating the timer altering means to retard the spark timingrelation only during en-4 gine starting, said actuating means comprisingan expansion chamber having a uid connection to the engine intake, andvalve means inserted in the fluid connection to be operated by theelectromagnetic means for controlling the effect of the engine intakepressure in the expansion chamber.

5. Ignition apparatus f or internal combustion engines comprising incombination, a starting motor and a circuit for energizing the same, acircuit interrupter, an engine driven cam for operating the interrupter,a device responsive to closing of the starting motor circuit forcontrolling the angular relation between the interrupter and cam inorder to control the timing of ignition, said device comprising asolenoid, a valve to be operated by the solenoid, an expansion chamberhaving a fluid connection including the valve with an engine intakepassage, and means mechanically connecting a movable part of theexpansion chamber with a support for the circuit breaker.

6. Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising incombination, a starting motor and a circuit for energizing the same, acircuit interrupter, an engine driven cam for operating the interrupter,a device responsive to closing of the starting motor circuit forcontrolling the angular relation between the interrupter and cam inorder to control the timing oi ignition, said device comprising, meansresponsive to engine intake pressure for shifting the angular positionof the interrupter, and means actuated upon closing of the startingmotor circuit for canceling the effect of the engine intake pressureupon the shifting means.

'7. Ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine having anintake pipe and comprising in combination, a starting motor and acircuit for energizing the same, a circuit interrupter, an engine drivencam for operating the interrupter, a device responsive to closing of thestarting motor circuit for controllingu the angular yrelation betweenthe interrupter and cam in order to control the timing' of ignition,said device comprising, means responsive to engine intake pressure forshifting the interrupter, iiuid conducting means connecting theresponsive means to an engine intake passage, valving mechanism in saidiluid conducting means actuatable upon closing of the starting motorcircuit, said means normally providing communication between thepressure responsive means and the engine intake, and adapted to closethe pressure responsive means to engine intake pressure and to open thesame to atmospheric pressure upon closing of the starting motor circuit.

8. Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising incombination, a starting motor and a circuit for energizing the same, acircuit interrupter, an engine driven cam for operating the interrupter,a device responsive to closing of the starting motor circuit forcontrolling the angular relation between the interrupter and cam inorder to control the timing of ignition, said device comprising, meansresponsive to engine suction in the engine intake pipe for retarding thespark timing relation during engine starting, and for advancing thespark timing relation as soon as the engine has been started.

9. Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising incombination, a starting motor and a circuit for energizing the same,electromagnetic means for closing the starting motor circuit, a circuitinterrupter, an engine driven cam for operating the interrupter, adevice responsive to closing of the starting motor circuit for alteringthe angular relation between the interrupter and cam in order to controlthe timing of ignition, said device comprising, means responsive toengine intake pressure for altering the angular relation of the cam andinterrupter, and means actuatable by the electromagnetic means forcontrolling the effect of the engine intake pressure upon the pressureresponsive means whereby the spark timing relation may be retarded onlyduring engine starting conditions.

10. Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising incombination, a starting motor and a circuit for energizing the same, acircuit interrupter, an engine driven cam for operating the interrupter,a device responsive to closing of the starting motor circuit forcontrolling the timing of ignition, said device comprising a solenoid,an expansion chamber having a fluid connection with an engine intakepassage, and means operated by the solenoid for altering the fluidconnection to the expansion chamber, whereby the ignition timing of theengine is changed coincident with closing and opening of the startingmotor circuit.

JAMES L. ARTHUR.

